Sales, Food Sales, Business Development

Sales Manager - Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Location:

Springfield, Illinois

Job Type: Full-Time

Industry: Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Travel: [Up to 50%]

We are seeking a results-driven Sales Manager to develop new business, strengthen customer relationships, and drive revenue growth within the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of food manufacturing, ingredients, private label, co-manufacturing, food service, retail, or related markets and a proven ability to identify opportunities, build relationships, and close business.

• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve revenue and profitability objectives.
• Identify, prospect, and develop new customers and business opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, distributors, retailers, food service organizations, and industry partners.
• Manage the sales cycle from prospecting and presentations through contract negotiation and close.
• Understand customer needs and collaborate with Operations, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to deliver solutions.
• Prepare proposals, pricing, presentations, forecasts, and sales reports.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and business terms while protecting company margins.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, customer needs, and emerging opportunities.
• Maintain accurate customer and pipeline information within CRM systems.
• Develop strategic account plans for key customers.
• Attend customer meetings, trade shows, industry events, and networking opportunities.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure successful product launches and customer satisfaction.
• Meet or exceed sales, margin, and new-business development targets.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of sales experience within food & beverage manufacturing or a related industry.
• Proven track record of developing new business and growing existing accounts.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing, ingredients, private label, co-manufacturing, food service, retail, or CPG markets.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong business acumen and ability to understand customer profitability and pricing.
• Experience using CRM systems and sales reporting tools.
• Ability to travel to customer locations, trade shows, and industry events as needed.
• Self-motivated, organized, competitive, and results-oriented.

Experience selling food ingredients, finished food products, private-label products, co-manufacturing/co-packing services, food service products, packaging, or manufacturing solutions is highly desirable.

The successful candidate is a relationship-driven sales professional who understands the food & beverage marketplace and knows how to turn customer relationships into long-term business opportunities. This individual should be comfortable prospecting for new business while also managing strategic accounts and collaborating with cross-functional manufacturing teams.

• Competitive base salary and performance-based compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Career advancement opportunities
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement plan
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to work with leading food & beverage brands and customers
• Collaborative, growth-oriented environment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.